ANGLERS have been warned not to leave rubbish behind after a swan was found bleeding with a hook caught in its neck.

The RSPCA is warning that people could face up to six months in prison or fines of up to £5,000 for leaving their waste behind.

The male swan was found in a distressed state on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Church.

It was treated by a vet and released back into the canal to the spot where its mate and signets live.

RSPCA inspector Dave Anforth said: "If we catch people deliberately dropping fishing litter it is an offence and they can face fines up to £5,000 and/or six months imprisonment.

"If a bird picks up lead shot it can die of poisoning and line can get tangled on a bird's foot, wing or head making it prey to anything else.

"If a bird swallows a hook or gets it tangled in its neck area it can cause it not to eat, which has happened here.

"We thought things like this were on the decrease but recently we have been getting them regular as clockwork."

Patricia Freeston, 37, of Kirk Road, Church, phoned the RSPCA to inform them about the distressed bird.

She said: "These swans need better protection and people have no right to harm them. It was bleeding very badly.

"A lot of elderly people and young children feed the swans and they get a lot of pleasure out of them. It is not fair that something like this should happen."